Rescue & Adoptions

2008 Featured Rescues

Fate Smiles Upon Goat Saved by Little Girl

Of all the animals in the petting zoo at an upstate New York orchard, only one caught the eye of a 12-year-old girl named Kasia-whose noble heart was not captured by the young animal's cuteness, but rather by her suffering. And so drawn to the most fragile animal's side, Kasia reached out to the goat we'd come to know as "Clarabell," setting into motion a series of chance events that would eventually save an innocent life.

On the extraordinary day Kasia and Clarabell met, the child's first glimpse of the goat revealed many things that weren't quite right. Clarabell's hooves were overgrown and she was suffering from a tendon condition that made every step a struggle-a sight too painful for Kasia to ignore. Stricken with sadness, the girl reluctantly left Clarabell behind, taking with her instead the worry of what was to become of her new friend. There was no telling, after all, what Clarabell's fate would be as she grew older at the zoo.

And so after days of bargaining with her parents, as only 12-year-olds can do so adeptly, Kasia inspired her family with her compassion and conviction and they agreed that Clarabell could certainly do with a more attentive and stable lifelong home. Returning to the orchard to negotiate the animal's release, the family rescued the goat and named her "Clarabell." Their story, however, had not yet reached its fruition.

Always knowing they could not keep Clarabell with them forever, Kasia's family launched a search for a permanent home, where the goat could have herd mates and proper space to roam, and found a farmer who offered to take Clarabell in, assuring the family that a vet came often and could tend to her needs. But when Kasia visited the goat one month later, she found her friend near death.

Out of Kasia's discerning sight, Clarabell had, in fact, become sicklier than she ever was before. She was afflicted with mange and had lost large patches of fur, she was so thin her bones were showing, her hooves had grown to be about 4 inches long, and her tendons were so stiff that she could only move by pulling herself forward on her knees. Fresh food and water for Clarabell was also nowhere to be found.

Kasia and her family swiftly spirited Clarabell away from the farm, rushing her to a series of vets and others who advised them to euthanize the goat. But as Kasia stood in a veterinary hospital waiting room, preparing to say goodbye to an animal she wanted more than anything to save, Farm Sanctuary staff-working on a cruelty case in the area-happened upon the scene and offered to try and nurse Clarabell back to health.

"It had to be fate," said Kasia of the encounter leading Clarabell to Farm Sanctuary, and we couldn't agree more. Since arriving at our New York Shelter-where the goat is on the mend-Clarabell has transformed into a beautiful, joyful animal whose uncompromising love for everyone and everything has now all but erased the hardships of her past. Fortunate to have been smiled upon by fate, and Kasia, Clarabell reminds us of just how lucky we are to have also played a part in a happy ending like this.

Want to share the love with Clarabell, too? Learn more about becoming a goat "parent" through Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Farm Animal Project by calling 607-583-2225 ext. 225 or sending an e-mail to sponsorship@farmsanctuary.org today!